American Q & A: Canada’s Role In "The War in Afghanistan"

An expansive and informal conversation, with the University of Ottawa's Nipa Banerjee, who headed CIDA's efforts in Afghanistan from 2003 to 2006, Ron Hoffmann, Canada’s new Ambassador to Afghanistan, formerly deputy head of mission there, and yours truly.

You can listen to it all here.

I'd say it went extremely well. Maybe it was because it was us three Canucks talking to an American audience, but there sure seemed like a lot of consensus among us. It helped that Martin was hosting. He's a solid journalist, and born in Lachine, Quebec, besides.

UPDATE: The Huffington Post version of the conversation is headlined "Canadians Fiercely Debate Their Role In Afghanistan." Who knew?

Elsewhere, I see reports that Ameer Haider Khan Hoti of the Awami National Party has directed officials to distribute 30,000 rifles among “patriotic people” and “peace loving groups” to guard their villages and assist in the struggle against the Taliban.

If you can’t count on Islamabad, or Washington or Brussels, the least you must do is arm the people.

ANP Zindabad.